Residents on the street said they were concerned about the congestion that could result from having so many more people living in the new complex, and questioned how fire departments would be able to access the building in an emergency.

Raymond Virgona, an architect with Virgona and Virgona of Edgewater, said the design includes enough room in the driveway and parking lot for cars to turn around, and that there would be room for emergency services to fight a fire in the area.

Mark Sokolich, the attorney representing the developers, added that access to public transport near the proposed apartment building should help reduce car traffic into and out of the property.

Joe Vaccarello, who lives on Palisade Avenue near the site, questioned the make-up of the LLC and whether it created a conflict of interest.

Gerald Calabrese Jr., brother of Mayor Thomas Calabrese, and Councilman Peter Coloa — who is also chairman of the board of the Cliffside Park Housing Authority — are listed as principle members of 457 Sylvan Avenue, LLC.

Vaccarello asked if any other borough officials were involved in the LLC, as any partners of the LLC with less than 10 percent ownership would not be listed in the application. Sokolich said the full ownership was disclosed to his knowledge.

Board of Adjustment member Joseph Capano, who is also executive director of the Cliffside Park Housing Authority, recused himself from the application.